On Sunday, April 6, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Sikh community of Southern California gathered together to celebrate their most important annual festival – the festival of Baisakhi. To honor this event and help commemorate the Sikh presence within Southern California, Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa donned a turban and made an appearance at the event. He spoke to the over 14,000 Sikhs gathered at the Convention Center, expressing his appreciation of the Sikh community.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Amarjit Singh, and Gurpreet Singh at the Baisakhi Parade

The Mayor of Amritsar, India, Shwait Malik also attended the Baisakhi celebration in Los Angeles. Amritsar is one of the most important cities to the Sikhs. It is where the most sacred temple for the Sikhs, the Harimander Sahib (or Golden Temple) is located. Mayor Malik congratulated the Sikhs on their celebration, honored their presence in California for 100 years, and invited them to spend time in the city of Amritsar. Currently, Bakersfield, California and Amritsar, India are in collaboration to become Sister Cities.

Other dignitaries who attended the event and gave their greetings and warm wishes to the Sikh community included California State Assembly Member Mike Eng; California State Board of Equalization Chair Judy Chu; California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas; Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks; Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

CA Assemblyman Mike Eng & Akal Security President Daya Singh Khalsa speaking at the Baisakhi press conference

Nagara Drum being played by Gurumeher Singh at Sikh Baisakhi Parade

In addition, Sikh Dharma International and the Sikh community of Southern California honored Sikh women who have been active in educating and sharing the Sikh identity. These women received the Mai Bhago Spirit of Baisakhi award during the program. Honorees this year were: Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, a medical doctor and Sikh Canadian film producer who produced the movie By the Guru's Grace – Journey through the Sikh Experience ; Inni Kaur Dhingra, VP of Spectrum Communications and a member of the editorial board of Nishaan Magazine who has chaired the Spinning Wheel Festival in New York City and also helped organize the Sikh art exhibit at the Rubin Museum in New York City last year, titled I See No Stranger: Early Sikh Art and Devotion; Penny Yogiraj Sandhu, President and CEO of JusPunjabi 24 Hour American-Punjabi Channel; Valarie Kaur, Sikh American film director and writer who wrote and directed the move Divided We Fall – about Sikhs in the backlash aftermath of 9-11; and Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Sikh writer and Chairwoman of the International Khalsa Council. Valarie Kaur could not attend the event, and the award was received in her name by Eric Santiestevan who composed the music for her film.

After receiving her award, Shanti Kaur Khalsa talked about the importance of Sikh women to the strength and success of the Sikh community. "It is the feminine energy that has the ability to endure and the ability to never give up," she said.

Sikh Dharma International's Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur and Siri Sikdar Sahiba S. Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa addressed the gathered Sikh community. Bhai Sahib Bibiji invited the community to attend the 300^th anniversary celebrations of Siri Guru Granth Sahib in Hazoor Sahib this year. Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur spoke to inspire the community to continue with the traditions given by the 10^th Sikh Master Guru Gobind Singh.

Baisakhi commemorates the day in 1699 when the 10th Teacher, or Guru, of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, created a fellowship of men and women dedicated to selflessly and fearlessly serving all humanity in the Name of One Creator. It was on that day that the turban and uncut hair, as well as other articles of faith for the Sikhs, became a mandatory requirement of the tradition.

For over 100 years, Sikhs have settled and prospered in California. Wherever they live, Sikhs make a positive contribution to the social, economic and spiritual life. Sikhs from California who have made note-worthy achievements in the last 30 years include: Dr. Narinder Singh Kapanay – considered to be the "Father of Fiber Optics"; Didar Singh Bains – largest peach farmer in the United States; Harbhajan Singh Samra – largest Okra farmer in the United States; Dr. H.S. Sahota – patented the Angioplasty process to help with heart disease; Joginder Singh Sidhu – Engineered the world's smallest camera/twin lens reflex, member of the American Association on Advancement of Science; Siri Singh Sahib Bahi Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogiji – Pioneered the teachings of Kundalini Yoga & Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere.

Since the 1980s, the Sikhs in Los Angeles have worked together to host the premier Baisakhi celebration in the Western United States. This event is the result of a year-round working collaboration among over 20 Sikh Gurdwaras (Sikh Places of Worship) and centers in California, along with the support of Sikh leadership throughout the country. Sikh Dharma International organized the Kirtan Program in cooperation with all of Southern California Gurdwaras. Gurdip Singh Malik and volunteers from the Lankershim Gurdwara coordinated the Nagar Kirtan (Sikh parade) in conjunction with all the Gurdwaras in Southern California, as well. The sevadars who work on the programs year round include hall decorators Seva Kaur Khalsa, Dr. Hari Bhajan Singh Khalsa, and Jai Pal Singh Khalsa; Langar coordinators Dr. Manjit Singh and Hardeep Singh Virdi; Guru's Prashad coordinators Manjit Singh and Seva Simran Siri Kaur Khalsa; children's program coordinator Hari Kirn Kaur Khalsa; and Nagar Kirtan float designer Joginder Singh Sidhu.

The Los Angeles Baisakhi program is broadcast live via the Internet (www.sikhnet.com) with more than 2000 viewers to the world-wide Sikh community every year. It regularly draws over 10,000 - 15,000 attendees, as well as dignitaries and leadership from the United States and India.